Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

March is a month rich with holidays in Azerbaijan. This is a month, when everyone longs for spring even stronger with every week, since Azerbaijanis anticipate their one of the most cherished holidays -- Novruz Bayram.

Novruz is a holiday when people are kind of uniting with nature ... since spring is coming and nature is awakening. Probably, no other holiday could be more natural than Novruz for Azerbaijanis, symbolizing the end of an old year and beginning of a new year.

The holiday, loved by both children and adults makes happy all around. People congratulate each other with words “Novruz bayramınız mübarək olsun!” (Happy Novruz!)

The spring holiday is accompanied by folk festivals, unusual traditions and, of course, lavish treats on the tables.

Being the oldest festival of spring and included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it’s celebrated for more than 3,000 years by more than 300 million people in the Caucasus, the Balkans, the Black Sea basin, Central Asia and Near East.

Although Novruz is celebrated mainly in Muslim countries, it is not an Islamic holiday, but a celebration of the spring equinox, symbolizing the renewal of nature.

Novruz is a tradition dating back to Zoroastrianism, the oldest of the monotheist religions. British scientist Mary Boyce noted that this holiday was dedicated directly to the fire in Zoroastrianism, that the Zoroastrians found vitality in to worship. This holiday meant defeating the Evil Spirit.

Azerbaijan, also known as Land of Fire has a rich tradition associated with fire, considering a symbol of purification. Novruz represents ancient rites, talking about the proximity of a fire phenomenon to the spirit of Azerbaijanis.

Some scientists suggest that the presence of fire in the festive rituals is not accidental. Fire is a symbol of life, what is more important, it gives warmth, signing that spring is on its way.

The holiday celebrations begin a month before the actual holiday, which is marked on March 20-21.

Preparation for the holiday begins with Water Tuesday, or as it is known here, Su Chershenbesi, following by Fire Tuesday (Od Chershenbesi), Wind Tuesday (Yel Chershenbesi) and Earth or Last Tuesday (Torpag or Akhir Chershenbesi).

The four Tuesdays are associated with the arrival of the new year and nature's rebirth and dedicated to the awakening of one of the natural elements.

Every family awaits guests on this day. Knocking at one of the doors and you will always be invited to the festive table, which is full of various treats and unusual dried fruit, nuts and dyed eggs. The center of the table is decorated with a big tray Khonca with Semeni placed inside sprouted wheat in a bowl, which is considering an essential feature of the festival.

People cook numerous Novruz desserts. Since March is a period of vitamin deficiency, Novruz pastries are all about butter, nuts, sugar and spices are good to keep people immunity strong.

Such attributes of Novruz table as pakhlava (baklava), shakarbura (a cookie with nuts and sugar wrapped in dough), and shorgogal (layers of pastry flavored with turmeric and fennel seeds) decorate almost all Azerbaijani tables. All these sweets are associated with star, half moon and sun, respectively, as their shapes remind these symbols.

Tea meal is gradually replaced by a festive dinner with a "King" of Azerbaijani cuisine -- fragrant "Plov" (Pilaf). The table must be set with at least seven dishes.

The indispensable attribute of Novruz is lightening bonfires in every yard. Happily jumping over it for seven times people says “Relieve me of my troubles and misfortunes and bestow me much more joy". People of all ages will join in the tradition, happily believing that the fire will purify and take away all their troubles.

Novruz is also famous for its bright customs - such as placing hats at a door, which is probably the most favorite one among children.

During every four Tuesdays and on the main holiday children knock on neighbors' doors, leaving the caps or small pouches in the doorway and hiding nearby. Neighbors, in turn, fill the caps with holiday treats and then returned it to the place.

One of the most amazing views which indicate about the forthcoming spring in Azerbaijan is cherry trees, which bloom for Novruz delighting people with its pink and fragrant flowers.

Wish you all happy spring so that you can enjoy every new flower and sun ray of nature.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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